Octopizzo calls out political class after violent by-elections
By Mustafa Juma, November 27, 2025Kenyan rapper and activist Henry Ohanga, also known as Octopizzo, has issued a scathing statement condemning the conduct of the country’s political leaders following the violence witnessed during Thursday’s by-elections.
In a strongly worded message issued via his official X account on Thursday, November 27, 2025, Octopizzo expressed deep concern over the state of Kenya’s democratic maturity, warning that the chaos seen in multiple polling areas had exposed a worrying decline in political responsibility.
“Today’s by-elections have revealed how far we still have to go as a democratic nation. Watching seasoned leaders resort to conflict instead of principle shows that while growing older is inevitable, growing up is not,” Octopizzo stated.
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By-elections peace and credibility
The musician noted that despite the smaller scale of the mini-polls, many involving fewer than a million voters, the process still failed to meet the expected standards of peace and credibility.
He urged Kenya’s political class to reflect honestly on what the day’s events revealed about the country’s political culture.
“When elections involving fewer than a million participants cannot be conducted credibly & peacefully, we must pause & reflect on what this says about our political culture,” he wrote on X.
He further directed his criticism at both government and opposition leaders, saying neither was blameless for the deteriorating state of electoral integrity.
“This is a call to all political parties and leaders in government & in the opposition. The responsibility is collective, and in this moment, you have all fallen short of the standards our country deserves,” he stated.
MP Kaluma attacked
The by-elections, held across several wards and constituencies, were marred by reports of violence, voter intimidation, clashes between rival political camps, and confrontations with police.
The incidents have sparked national debate about political accountability and the future of peaceful elections in Kenya.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and his bodyguard sustained injuries after being attacked during the Kasipul parliamentary by-election on Thursday, November 27, 2025. Kaluma’s bodyguard’s firearm was also reported missing following the incident.
“I’m in a sitution where I am the observer for the ODM candidate. You can see I am bleeding. I have been attacked by Aroko and a team of goons. They have gone with the gun, for my body guard. And you can see they have stolen. And he’s the one who was telling them to hit me when I’m okay. And I’m here to wait for our ODM candidate to be on the way to vote,” Kaluma said.
Watch: Peter Kaluma attacked in Kasipul as by-election turns violent
“This is not acceptable. I want to tell our people to stay now. Come out and vote. Don’t worry about what is happening. Come out and vote. These people want to cause violence so that they scare people from voting.”
